Math Exit Tickets: Do’s and Don’ts To Using Effectively

Back when I first started using math learning centers in my classroom I struggled to make groups in math. I understood how to plan math games, independent practice, and other hands-on activities. But I had no idea how to create small groups. That is until I stumbled upon math exit tickets.

Once I used exit tickets, my life changed. I could all of a sudden group students based on common errors and only repeat myself once. I could reteach a skill to a small group of students. And I could challenge my students. The best part was I knew which students needed all of this! All because of a tiny slip of paper.

If you want to transform your math block from frustrating to fun then join the 5 part video series for free! I share how to set up math stations in easy steps, with exit tickets being a core component! Just drop your email below and the first video will be sent straight to your inbox. Easy-peasy just the way I like it!

Get ready for an exit tickets education! I’m diving into the what, when, and how to use math exit tickets.

What are exit tickets in the classroom?

What are exit tickets in the classroom? Simply put, exit tickets are like a snapshot of student learning. I will have students complete 2-3 problems independently at the end of a lesson. This gives students a chance to see how well they are learning the material. And these exit slips give me a peek into their brains. I can see who is missing which skills, which students could use a reteach, and which students are ready for more.

I plan so much of my classroom instruction around exit tickets I couldn’t imagine teaching without them! If everyone in the class is struggling with a concept, I have data from my exit tickets to show why I need to slow down my pacing and reteach or offer practice. If a student is continually struggling, this can help identify gaps in learning and pinpoint what topics they really need to learn. 

Are exit tickets formative or summative?

Are exit tickets formative or summative? Great question, honestly they can be both, depending on the purpose of your exit ticket. 

I use exit tickets as formative feedback after a lesson. I want to know what students know right now in the midst of learning. This is how I form groups to pull during math learning centers on Friday. Students know that the math exit tickets do not go in the grade book as I am using them to create groups. If you want to learn more about math learning centers, check out this blog post!

You can however use exit tickets as summative assessments. I have used these a few times during the school year but I call them mini-quizzes instead. This lets students know that they will be in a grade. The mini-quizzes have a few more problems than an exit ticket. Students still complete the exit ticket independently. And these mini-quizzes give me insight into how well students are progressing through the standards. 

Overall, exit tickets are there to gain data about student learning in real-time. This data can be formative for creating groups. Or this data can be used to guide instruction of whole units. Either way, the data from exit tickets should guide your instruction in some way, shape, or form.

Exit tickets classroom dos and don’ts

Continuing our exit tickets education: what you should do (and don’t do!) in the classroom. Let this list give you ideas on how to use math exit tickets. I have totally done some of the things not to do and have lived to tell the tale. Have other ideas? Drop them in the comments!

Do Give Students Time

This is probably my biggest struggle in a 45-minute class. I set a timer to remind myself to give students at least 5 minutes of time to complete 2 problems. This helps students not feel rushed and ultimately gives me better data. 

Don’t Forget about Technology

There are a couple of different programs that allow for digital exit tickets. Google Forms is an option that I used for years. The forms can be self-grading if you set them up correctly. However if you let students type their answers, be prepared for multiple correct answers. Some students will put a space before the number and some students will forget a common between place values. Fractions are a whole other story. 

If you teach 5th-grade math, I have included exit tickets in each of my unit bundles. Be sure to check them out here!

If you don’t want to go the Google Forms route then let me recommend Plickers. This is another self-grading option. You have to create multiple choice questions for this to work. Students are assigned a physical card to hold up with their answer choices. The cards look like QR codes and have tiny A-D letters on each side. Each card looks different so students can peak at their classmates’ answers. You then scan the room with either your phone or computer and it will collect student answers. I love this option as it’s fast on my end and self-checking so I can create groups faster.

Do Tickets Independently

I guess this one depends on your purpose but I want to know what students can do independently. I give lots of partner practice before giving a ticket so this is the time for students and myself to see how they are learning. Exit slips are a quick check for me and give me feedback on learning. So I need students to do this solo. 

If your purpose of an exit ticket is to see how groups of students are doing then keep with it!

Don’t get locked into daily tickets

Sometimes you won’t have time for an exit ticket. Or sometimes you might want to give students another day of practice before doing a math exit ticket. That’s totally fine! I try to give 2-3 tickets a week so that I have enough to create Friday groups. This means that I will combine a lesson or two into a single exit ticket.

When starting out with exit tickets, give them as much as you want. If only doing 1 a week is your jam, then go for it! The longer you wait between tickets, the less data you have so be careful with how far apart you give them.

Do Keep Them Simple

The beauty of exit tickets is that they are simple! I rarely use exit tickets for word problems as there is so much that goes into solving a word problem. Give a few problems that students can solve. Possibly include an easier and more difficult problem type. But in general, short and sweet is best. 

You don’t even have to have pre-printed slips of paper for exit tickets. Post-it notes or index cards work great! I will toss up a problem or 2 on my slide show and give students time to complete them. I’m just trying to get real-time data so I don’t need fancy options!

If you teach 5th grade math and are looking for a set of pre-created exit slips for all Common Core Standards, be sure to check out this bundle!

Don’t Take Them for Grades

Math Exit tickets don’t have to be graded! I use exit slips as a formative check-in, not an assessment. My students know this so it takes some pressure off. Unless you are using them for summative assessments, don’t take them for grades. 

Do Let Students Self Assess

I like letting students sort their own tickets based on their understanding. I use the 4 Levels of Understanding as my scale because that’s what my school uses across the campus. You can have students turn in their tickets into specific bins or stick them on the door in particular quadrants. Pinterest has a bunch of different ideas for turn-in options.

You can also have students circle their level of understanding at the top of the ticket. I have students write and circle a number near their names. It’s quick and easy but also keeps students understanding quiet. In middle school, some students don’t want to admit they don’t know something so this ‘secret’ rubric of understanding lets students save face. 

Don’t Let Data Sit

Math exit tickets give you data, that’s literally the purpose. But just letting data sit around isn’t helpful. Use the data to guide instruction. This could mean creating groups to work with students or maybe taking a day and reteaching a difficult concept. A data-driven classroom becomes a student-centered classroom. Make instructional moves based on the students in your class and the misconceptions they have. 

Looking for other tips for using math exit tickets? 

It’s no secret I love exit tickets! If you aren’t convinced, check out these blog posts about the research behind exit tickets. 

• Gaining Understanding on What Your Students Know
• Using Exit Tickets Strategically

Want to see other exit ticket classroom ideas? These blog posts are great resources for that!

• Checking for Understanding with Exit Tickets
• 191+ Powerful Exit Ticket Questions & Prompts (All Subjects)
• Using Math Exit Slips to Guide Instruction

Curious about how to make groups in math? Check out these posts about making math groups.

• How to Organize Small Groups for Math Workshop
• Effective Grouping in Math
• How to Set Up Online Group Work in High School Math (great ideas for middle school classrooms too!)

How do you use math exit tickets? Are you an exit tickets classroom? Any tips you’d add to new exit ticket users? Drop your ideas in the comments below!